Although funds have not been appropriated for the Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Research Program (PRORP), the PRORP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop ideas for submission to the anticipated FY18 funding opportunities.

FY18 PRORP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on Grants.gov in April 2018.  Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released.  This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government, and funding of research projects received in response to these Program Announcements is contingent on the availability of Federal funds appropriated for the PRORP.

As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency J9, Research and Development Directorate, manages the Defense Health Program Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation.  The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

The mission of the PRORP is to address the most significant gaps in care for the leading burden of injury for facilitating return-to-duty by funding innovative, high-impact, clinically relevant research to advance optimal treatment and rehabilitation from musculoskeletal injuries sustained during combat and combat-related activities. 

Prolonged Field Care (PFC) has been identified as the number one capability gap across the Army.  PFC includes field trauma care extended beyond doctrinal timelines until the patient can be transported from the point of injury to an appropriate level of care.  In order to address this gap and prepare the orthopaedic field for the next conflict or mass event, the FY18 PRORP has identified several orthopaedic areas of focus for funding that will support patient care closer to the point of injury and to allow patients to more quickly return to duty/work. 

The PRORP will solicit research applications that specifically address at least one of the following FY18 Focus Areas:

• o    Animal Models - Develop animal models that replicate Prolonged Field Care-related injuries, including ischemia reperfusion injury and compartment syndrome.
• o    Device Development - Develop offloading and stability devices (e.g., braces, casting) for ligamentous injuries, small extremity fractures, and /or other non-severe common battlefield musculoskeletal injuries for immediate return to duty.
• o    Wound Infection – Evaluate and /or translate promising available clinical interventions in prevention and control of combat extremity wound infections (e.g., for long bone open fractures) to improve their durability to treat Service member injuries as close as possible to the point of injury.  Projects that further develop novel wound protectants for this population will also be considered.
• o    Treatment Techniques and Outcomes - Develop and /or evaluate optimal non-surgical and /or surgical treatment strategies and intervention delivery parameters (e.g., frequency, intensity, time, and intervention type) to rapidly remediate duty-limiting  impairments, functional limitations, or barriers to full duty readiness following orthopedic injuries.  Interventions may include, but are not limited to:  combination therapies (simultaneous application of multiple treatment modalities), injections, dry needling, manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, or other techniques to return Service members to duty within 72 hours.
• o    Surgical Care - Translate early research findings, in any of the below Surgical Care Areas, to humans.
• §  Surgical Care Areas: Peripheral Nerve Injuries, Prevention of Heterotopic Ossification, Volumetric Muscle Loss, Extremity Fractures, Pelvic Ring Injuries, Compartment Syndrome, Gaps in Clinical Practice Guidelines (http://www.usaisr.amedd.army.mil/cpgs.html), Surgical Techniques to Optimize Gait, Soft Tissue Trauma, Osteoarthritis
•  
• o    Surgical Techniques and Outcomes - Evaluate optimal surgical treatment strategies, tools, and delivery parameters to improve functional outcomes of Service members who have sustained orthopaedic injuries.  The proposed research should address at least one topic from the Surgical Care Areas (listed below), and strategies to return the patient to duty and potentially shorten recovery in theater.
• §  Surgical Care Areas: Peripheral Nerve Injuries, Prevention of Heterotopic Ossification, Volumetric Muscle Loss, Extremity Fractures, Pelvic Ring Injuries, Compartment Syndrome, Gaps in Clinical Practice Guidelines (http://www.usaisr.amedd.army.mil/cpgs.html), Surgical Techniques to Optimize Gait, Soft Tissue Trauma, Osteoarthritis
• o    Rehabilitation Techniques and Outcomes – Evaluate optimal rehabilitation treatment strategies, tools, and delivery parameters to improve functional outcomes for immediate return to duty of Service members who have sustained orthopaedic injuries. 
• o    Acute Pain - Evaluate promising available or emerging clinical interventions to control acute pain (e.g., analgesics, anti-inflammatory agents, nerve blocks) following orthopaedic injuries in the pre-hospital setting.  Projects that investigate a pathway to enhance non-physician capabilities to deliver rapid, long lasting, analgesia with minimal cognitive side effects in an austere environment are encouraged.
• o    Improved Surgical Interventions - Develop or optimize orthopaedic surgical interventions to support their use in the pre-hospital environment.
• o    Tissue Regeneration:
• §  Development and preclinical testing of therapies for volumetric muscle loss due to traumatically damaged tissues of the extremities. 
• §  Develop and /or evaluate regenerative medicine therapies (devices, drugs, biologics, and /or techniques) for traumatically injured tissues of the extremities.
• §  Evaluate advanced regenerative medicine therapeutics for restoration of traumatically injured extremity tissues.

The following FY18 PRORP award mechanisms are planned for release (note that Focus Area requirements vary by award mechanism):

http://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/press/2018/18prorppreann

Applied Research Award

• ·         Independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent) are eligible to submit applications.
• ·         Pre-application is required; full application submission is by invitation only.

·         Supports applied research applications focused on advancing optimal treatment and restoration of function for military personnel with musculoskeletal injuries sustained during combat or combat-related activities.

• ·         Proposed research should be supported by preliminary data and have the potential to make significant advancements toward clinical translation.
• ·         Clinical trials are not allowed under this award mechanism.
• ·         Applications must address one the following FY18 PRORP Focus Areas:
• ·         Animal Models
• ·         Device Development
• ·         Wound Infection
• ·         Tissue Regeneration
• ·         Maximum funding of $750,000 for total costs.
• ·         Maximum period of performance is 3 years.

 

Clinical Trial Award

• ·         Independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent) are eligible to submit applications.
• ·         Pre-application is required; full application submission is by invitation only.
• ·         Supports rapid implementation of clinical trials with the potential to have a major impact on military combat-related orthopaedic injuries, or non-battle injuries that significantly impact unit readiness and return-to-duty/work rates.
• ·         Funding must support a clinical trial and may not be used for preclinical research studies.
• ·         Collaboration with military researchers and clinicians is encouraged.
• ·         Studies that include active duty military or Veteran participants as all or a portion of the study population will be considered.
• ·         Investigational New Drug or Investigational Device Exemption applications, if needed, should be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration within 6 months of the award date.
• ·         Applications must address one the following FY18 PRORP Focus Areas:
• ·         Surgical Techniques and Outcomes
• ·         Rehabilitation Techniques and Outcomes
• ·         Acute Pain
• ·         Improved Surgical Interventions
• ·         Tissue Regeneration

·         Maximum funding of $3 million (M) for direct costs (plus indirect costs).

• ·         Maximum period of performance is 4 years.

 

Clinical Translational Research Award

• ·         Independent investigators at all academic levels (or equivalent) are eligible to submit applications.
• ·         Pre-application is required; full application submission is by invitation only.
• ·         Supports high-impact and/or emerging research that may or may not be ready for a full scale randomized controlled clinical trial.
• ·         Funding must support clinical research studies involving humans.
• ·         Preliminary or published data relevant to the proposed research project are required.
• ·         Collaboration with military researchers and clinicians is encouraged.
• ·         Studies that include active duty military or Veteran participants as all or a portion of the study population will be considered.
• ·         Investigational New Drug or Investigational Device Exemption applications, if needed, should be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration within 6 months of the award date.
• ·         Applications must address one the following FY18 PRORP Focus Areas:
• ·         Treatment Techniques and Outcomes
• ·         Wound Infection
• ·         Surgical Care
• ·         Tissue Regeneration

·         Maximum funding of $2M for direct costs (plus indirect costs),

·         Maximum period of performance is 4 years.

 

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website.  The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov.  A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420. 

Applications must be submitted through the Federal Government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov.  Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released.  For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://eBRAP.org.  For more information about the PRORP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

Although funds have not been appropriated for the Department of Defense Gulf War Illness Research Program (GWIRP), the GWIRP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop ideas for submission to the anticipated FY18 funding opportunities.

 

FY18 GWIRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on Grants.gov in April 2018.  Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released.  This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government, and funding of research projects received in response to these Program Announcements is contingent on the availability of Federal funds appropriated for the GWIRP.

 

As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) J9, Research and Development Directorate manages the Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation.  The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

The following mechanisms are planned for release:

http://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/press/2018/18gwirppreann

Clinical Trial Award

• Independent investigators at all academic levels
• Supports rapid implementation of clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on GWI.
• Proposed projects may range from small proof-of-concept trials through large-scale, definitive trials.
• Early phase or pilot clinical trials (Phase 0, I, or I/II) do not require preliminary data. Larger, more definitive clinical trials, including expansion of promising pilot trials, must include preliminary data to include safety in a GWI Veteran population.
• Biorepository Contribution Option supports additional costs associated with submission of samples and data to the GWIRP supported Biorepository Resource Network.
• Maximum funding of $825,000 for direct costs; funding requested must be commensurate with the phase and size of trial proposed
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years
• If applying for the Biorepository Contribution Option, additional direct costs up to $16,000 associated with contributions of samples and data to the Biorepository Resource Network

 

Qualitative Research Award

• Independent investigators at all academic levels
• Pre-application is required; full application submission is by invitation only.
• Supports qualitative research on 1990-1991 Gulf War (GW) Veterans with Gulf War illness (GWI) for the purpose of developing educational materials for Veterans, family members, caregivers, and healthcare providers.
• Qualitative research is defined as a form of social inquiry that seeks to understand the human experience by focusing on understanding the way that people interpret and make sense of their experiences and the world in which they live.
• Preliminary data are encouraged.
• Clinical trials are not allowed.
• Maximum funding is $450,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years

 

Investigator-Initiated Focused Research Award

• Independent investigators at all academic levels
• Pre-application is required; full application submission is by invitation only.
• Supports research from idea generation through preclinical validation under two tiers:
• Discovery Tier:  Supports basic research and proof-of-concept research; preliminary data are not required.
• Applied Research Tier:  Supports applied research in GWI aimed at diagnosis or therapeutic advancement.  Preliminary data from the field of GWI are required.
• Biorepository Contribution Option supports additional costs associated with submission of samples and data to the GWIRP supported Biorepository Resource Network.
• Clinical trials are not allowed.
• The maximum period of performance and maximum funding varies by tier:
• • Discovery:  $250,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs) over a maximum of 2 years.
  • Applied Research:  $700,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs) over a maximum of 3 years
• If applying for the Biorepository Contribution Option, additional direct costs up to $16,000 associated with the contribution of samples and data to the Biorepository Resource Network

 

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website.  The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov.  A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420. 

 

Applications must be submitted through the federal government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov.  Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released.  For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://eBRAP.org.  For more information about the GWIRP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

 

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

Due to the current Continuing Resolution, the FY18 Defense Appropriations bill has not been passed.  Although funds have not been appropriated for the Department of Defense Lung Cancer Research Program (LCRP), the LCRP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop ideas for submission to the anticipated FY18 funding opportunities.

FY18 LCRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on Grants.gov in April 2018.  Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released.  This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government, and funding of research projects received in response to these Program Announcements is contingent on the availability of Federal funds appropriated for the LCRP.

As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) J9, Research and Development Directorate manages the Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation.  The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

Applications submitted to the FY18 LCRP must address at least one of the eight Areas of Emphasis listed below:

• Identify, develop, or optimize noninvasive or minimally invasive tools to improve the detection of the initial stages of lung cancer, such as, but not limited to, optimizing strategies for management of indeterminate nodules.
• Identify, develop, and/or build upon already existing tools for screening or early detection of lung cancer. Screening may include, but is not limited to, imaging modalities, biomarkers, genetics/genomics/proteomics/metabolomics/transcriptomics, and assessment of risk factors.
• Understand the molecular mechanisms of initiation and progression to clinically significant lung cancer.
• Identify innovative strategies for prevention and treatment of lung cancer.
• Understand predictive markers to identify responders and nonresponders.
• Understand mechanisms of resistance to treatment (primary and secondary).
• Understand contributors to lung cancer development other than tobacco.
• Identify innovative strategies for lung cancer care delivery (clinical management/ surveillance/symptom management).

http://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/press/2018/18lcrppreann

Concept Award

• Investigators at all academic levels
• Supports highly innovative, untested, potentially groundbreaking concepts in lung cancer
• Emphasis on innovation
• Clinical trials not allowed
• Preliminary data discouraged
• Military relevance strongly encouraged
• Maximum funding of $100,000 in direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Period of performance should not exceed 1 year

Career Development Award

• Principal Investigator:  Independent investigators at the level of Assistant Professor, Instructor, or equivalent; must be within 5 years of first faculty appointment
• Mentor:  At or above the level of Associate Professor (or equivalent); have a proven publication and funding record in lung cancer research
• Supports early-career, independent researchers to conduct research under mentorship of an experienced lung cancer researcher
• Clinical trials not allowed
• Preliminary data not required
• Military relevance strongly encouraged
• Maximum funding of $250,000 in direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Period of performance should not exceed 2 years

Idea Development Award

• Established Investigators:  Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent); or
• New Investigators:  Investigators that meet the following criteria at the application submission deadline date:
• Have not previously received a LCRP Idea Development Award or Early Investigator Synergistic Idea Award
• Are within 10 years of first faculty appointment (or equivalent)
• Supports new ideas in the early stages of development representing innovative, high-risk/high-gain research
• Emphasis on innovation and impact
• New Investigator category supports applicants early in their faculty appointments or in the process of developing independent research careers
• Clinical trials not allowed
• Preliminary data required, but may be from outside of lung cancer
• Military relevance strongly encouraged
• Maximum funding of $350,000 in direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Period of performance should not exceed 2 years

Investigator-Initiated Translational Research Award

• Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent)
• Supports translational research that will develop promising ideas in lung cancer into clinical applications.  Translational research may be defined as an integration of basic science and clinical observations
• This mechanism is intended to fund a broad range of translational studies, including, but not limited to, the following:
• • Studies advancing/translating in vitro and/or animal studies to applications with human samples/cohorts
  • Late-stage preclinical work leading to/preparing for a clinical trial, e.g., Investigational New Drug submission
  • Correlative studies that are associated with an ongoing or completed clinical trial and projects that develop endpoints for clinical trials
• Preliminary data required, but may be from outside of lung cancer
• Military relevance strongly encouraged
• Maximum funding of $400,000 in direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Period of performance should not exceed 2 years

Translational Research Partnership Award

• Investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent)
• Supports partnerships between clinicians and laboratory scientists that accelerate ideas in lung cancer into clinical applications
• • One partner is strongly encouraged to be from either a Military Treatment Facility or a VA medical center
• Non-Traditional Partnerships are encouraged
• Small-scale clinical trials allowed
• Preliminary data required, but may be from outside of lung cancer
• Maximum combined funding of $900,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years
• Military relevance strongly encouraged

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website.  The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov.  A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420. 

Applications must be submitted through the federal government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov.  Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released.  For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://eBRAP.org.  For more information about the LCRP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

Due to the current Continuing Resolution, the FY18 Defense Appropriations bill has not been passed.  Although funds have not been appropriated for the Department of Defense Parkinson’s Research Program (PRP), the PRP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop ideas for submission to the anticipated FY18 funding opportunities.

FY18 PRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on Grants.gov in April 2018.  Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released.  This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government, and funding of research projects received in response to these Program Announcements is contingent on the availability of Federal funds appropriated for the PRP.

Applications to the FY18 PRP are being solicited by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity. The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

IMPORTANT:  The PRP seeks to focus applications and direct funding by providing Focus Areas to address the critical needs in Parkinson’s disease research. 

http://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/press/2018/18prppreann

Investigator-Initiated Research Award

Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).

·       Supports highly rigorous, multi-disciplinary, high-impact research projects that have the potential to make an important contribution to Parkinson’s disease research and/or patient care.

·       Potential impact of research may be near-term or long-term, but it must be significant and go beyond an incremental advancement.

·       Preliminary data to support feasibility are required.

Partnering PI Option:

·       Provides a higher level of funding to support synergistic partnerships between two or three independent investigators collaborating on a single application.

·       Principal Investigators (PIs) are expected to demonstrate within the application the synergistic components that will significantly advance the project, such that the research outcomes could not otherwise be accomplished through the independent efforts of a single PI.

Applications to this award mechanism must address at least one of the Focus Areas noted below:

·       Genetic stratification of quantifiable, suspected environmental factors on the risk of Parkinson’s disease

• Biological mechanism of impact of exercise on neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease

Individual PI:

·      Maximum funding of $1.5 million (M) in total costs.

·      Maximum period of performance is 3 years.

Partnering PI Option:

·      Maximum funding of $2M in total costs.

• ·      Maximum period of performance is 3 years.

Early Investigator Research Award

Investigator must be a postdoctoral or clinical fellow, instructor, or assistant professor within 5 years of advanced degree or residency training (or equivalent).

Verification of eligibility criteria must be provided in an Eligibility Statement signed by an appropriate institutional official and the PI.  

·        Supports early-career investigators who have innovative, high-impact ideas or new technologies applicable to Parkinson’s disease research and/or patient care.

·        PIs must have a designated mentor who is an experienced Parkinson’s disease researcher.

·        The application must include an individualized, Parkinson’s disease-focused researcher development plan.

·      Preliminary data are not required.

·      Clinical trials are not allowed.

Applications to this award mechanism must address the following Focus Area:

Mechanism of cognitive and psychiatric symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Maximum funding of $340,000 in total costs.

Maximum period of performance is 2 years.

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website.  The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov.  A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420. 

Applications must be submitted through the Federal Government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov.  Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released.  For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://eBRAP.org.  For more information about the PRP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

DEADLINE: March 23, 2018

Established in 2002, the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation has evolved into the largest private funder of spinal cord injury research, rehabilitation, and clinical training in the United States. The foundation funds scientific research (preclinical, translational, clinical, and psychosocial); opportunity and independence programs; scholarships for students with SCI; postdoctoral and SCI medicine fellowships; and other projects designed to support the SCI community in the United States and Canada.

To advance this mission, the foundation has issued a Request for Proposals for its 2019 Psychosocial Research grants cycle. A goal of the funding is to identify and prioritize critical gaps in the psychosocial field and develop more effective interventions aimed at improving the health of individuals with SCI across the lifespan. Funding categories range from postdoctoral fellowships to pilot and demonstration project grants.

Award amounts will range between $150,000 and $400,000.

To be eligible, applicants must be a nonprofit organization that conducts research on the psychological and social factors that affect health, functioning, and quality of life for people living with spinal cord injuries.

Letters of Intent must be receive no later than March 23. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by July 13, 2018.

See the 2019 application guide for a funding overview, eligibility criteria, key deadlines, and application instructions. 

Link to Complete RFP

Although funds have not been appropriated for the Department of Defense Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Research Program (ALSRP), the ALSRP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop ideas for submission to the anticipated FY18 funding opportunities.

FY18 ALSRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on the Grants.gov website in March 2017. Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released. This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government, and funding of research projects received in response to these program announcements is contingent on the availability of Federal funds appropriated for the ALSRP.

As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency (DHA), J9 Research and Development Directorate manages the Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation. The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

The mission of the ALSRP is to fund innovative pre-clinical research to develop new treatments for ALS for the benefit of Service members, Veterans, and the general public.

The following mechanisms are planned for release:

Therapeutic Development Award

• Independent investigators at all academic levels
• Pre-application is required; full application submission is by invitation only
• Supports post-discovery, preclinical development of therapeutics for ALS
• Preliminary data, including identify and purity of an identified bioactive compound(s), are required
• Types of efforts that will be supported include:
• • Confirmation of candidate therapeutics obtained from screening or by other means
  • Validation of early pilot studies in multiple model systems and/or replicating preliminary data with more time points or additional doses
  • Optimization of potency and pharmacology, studies of formulation, stability and production methods based on Good Manufacturing Practices
  • Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies
• Clinical trials are not allowed
• Does not support screening or development of screens or models
• New! The following option, with additional funding for qualified applications, is being offered:
• Therapeutic Relevance Option supports development of markers that will improve the drug development process in parallel with the main therapeutic advancement effort.
• Applicants must submit a Therapeutic Relevance Statement that clearly describes how the marker is quantifiable and has potential to improve the efficacy of the therapy development process.
• Application to this option is not a requirement for TDA submission
• A TDA application requesting the higher level of funding that does meet the specified criteria may be funded at the lower level
• Standard award maximum funding of $1,000,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Standard award with Option:
• • If applying for the Therapeutic Relevance Option, maximum funding of up to $1,250,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 2 years

Therapeutic Idea Award

• Independent investigators at all academic levels
• Pre-application is required; full application submission is by invitation only.
• Supports new ideas aimed at drug or treatment discovery that are still in the early stages of development
• Preliminary data are not required
• Types of efforts that will be supported include:
• Exploitation of pathways known to be relevant to ALS for the purpose of improving treatment and/or advancing a novel treatment modality
• Development, modification, and use of high-throughput screens and novel model systems to define or assess lead compounds
• Projects that focus primarily on investigating the pathophysiology of ALS are outside of the scope of this announcement

Maximum funding of $500,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs) Maximum period of performance is 2 years

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline. All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website. The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov. A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420.

Applications must be submitted through the federal government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov. Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released. For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://eBRAP.org. For more information about the ALSRP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

It is with great sadness that we inform you that our community has lost one of our own this past weekend. Mr. Edward Black, Executive Director of the Denver Research Institute (DRI) and a frequent volunteer for NAVREF activities, passed away Sunday, February 11, at the young age of 40. He leaves behind his wife and four young children. Ed was an instrumental force in taking his NPC to the next level and a treasured part of our community.  His positive attitude made lasting impressions with his foundation and with our NAVREF family.  He was actively engaged in various committees, and a willing volunteer whenever NAVREF asked. He will be greatly missed.

Services for Ed will be this Friday, February 16 from 5-7 pm at Horan and McConaty, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave, Denver 90014.  On Saturday, February 17 a memorial service will be held in Ed’s honor at the Dorado building from 10am to 11am with a luncheon to follow.  Childcare will be provided during the memorial service for families with young children.

You can support his family during this difficult time by making a contribution to their Go Fund Me page found here: https://www.gofundme.com/black-family-tragedy

Please share this information with others that may have been missed.

Although funds have not been appropriated for the Department of Defense Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP), the PRMRP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop ideas for submission to the anticipated FY18 funding opportunities.

FY18 PRMRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on Grants.gov in April 2018. Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released. This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government, and funding of research projects received in response to these Program Announcements is contingent on the availability of Federal funds appropriated for the PRMRP.

As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) J9, Research and Development Directorate, manages the Defense Health Program (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation. The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

Congressionally Directed Topic Areas. All applications submitted to the PRMRP must address at least one of the FY18 PRMRP Congressionally directed topic areas. As of the release date of this pre-announcement, the FY18 PRMRP Topic Areas have not been finalized. This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government to include any of these Topic Areas or others in the FY18 PRMRP. The potential FY18 PRMRP Topic Areas are as follows:

Acute Lung Injury Antimicrobial Resistance Arthritis Burn Pit Exposure Cardiomyopathy Cerebellar Ataxia Chronic Migraine and Post-Traumatic Headache Chronic Pain Management Congenital Heart Disease Constrictive Bronchiolitis Diabetes Dystonia Eating Disorders Emerging Infectious Diseases Endometriosis Epidermolysis Bullosa Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

Fragile X Syndrome Guillain-Barré Syndrome Hepatitis B and C Hereditary Angioedema Hydrocephalus Immunomonitoring of Intestinal Transplants Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Interstitial Cystitis Lung Injury Malaria Metals Toxicology Mitochondrial Disease Musculoskeletal Disorders Myotonic Dystrophy Non-Opioid Pain Management Nutrition Optimization Pancreatitis

Pathogen-Inactivated Blood Products Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis Pressure Ulcers Pulmonary Fibrosis Respiratory Health Rett Syndrome Rheumatoid Arthritis Scleroderma Sleep Disorders Spinal Muscular Atrophy Sustained-Release Drug Delivery Tinnitus Tuberculosis Vascular Malformations Women’s Heart Disease

The mission of the PRMRP is to encourage, identify, and select military health-related research of exceptional scientific merit. Relevance to the healthcare needs of military Service members, Veterans, and their family members is a key feature of each FY18 PRMRP award mechanism.

Clinical Trial Award

• Assistant Professor level or above (or equivalent)
• Preproposal submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• Supports the rapid implementation of clinical trials of novel interventions with the potential to have a significant impact on patient care in the topic area(s) of interest.
• Proposed projects may range from small proof-of-concept trials through large-scale, definitive trials.
• Investigational New Drug or Investigational Device Exemption applications, if needed, should be submitted to the Food and Drug Administration by the PRMRP application submission deadline.
• Funding limit not defined; requested funding must be appropriate for the scope of work proposed
• Maximum period of performance is 4 years

Discovery Award

• Postdoctoral fellow or clinical fellow (or equivalent) and above
• Supports the exploration of a highly innovative new concept or untested theory.
• Not intended to support the logical progression of an already established line of questioning.
• Clinical trials will not be funded.
• Reviewers will be blinded to the identity of the Principal Investigator (PI), collaborators, and their organization(s).
• Maximum of $200,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 18 months

Focused Program Award

• Full Professor level or above (or equivalent)
• Preproposal submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• Supports a synergistic, multidisciplinary research program of at least four distinct but complementary projects addressing an overarching goal.
• Projects should work together to answer critical questions, resolve differing hypotheses, and translate laboratory findings to clinical applications.
• Projects may range from exploratory/hypothesis-developing through small-scale clinical trials that together will address the overarching goal/question.
• Research team of highly qualified, multidisciplinary project leaders should be led by a PI with demonstrated success in directing large, focused projects.
• Maximum of $10 million for total costs (includes direct and indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 4 years

Investigator-Initiated Research Award

• Assistant Professor level or above (or equivalent)

• Preproposal submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• Supports research that will make an original and important contribution to the field of research or patient care in the topic area(s) of interest.
• Partnering PI Option available.
• Clinical trials will not be funded.
• Maximum of $1.2 million for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum of $1.5 million for direct costs (plus indirect costs) for applications including a Partnering PI Option
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years

Technology/ Therapeutic Development Award

• Assistant Professor level or above (or equivalent)
• Supports the translation of promising preclinical findings into clinical applications for prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, or quality of life.
• Product-oriented (e.g., device, drug, clinical guidelines). The product(s) to be developed may be a tangible item such as a pharmacologic agent (drugs or biologics) or device, or a knowledge-based product.
• Clinical trials will not be funded.
• Preproposal submission is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• Maximum of $3.0 million for direct costs (plus indirect costs)
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline. All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website. The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov. A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420.

Applications must be submitted through the federal government's single-entry portal, Grants.gov. Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released. For email notification when Program Announcements are released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://eBRAP.org. For more information about the PRMRP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

Although funds have not been appropriated for the FY18 Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP), the OCRP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop ideas for submission to the anticipated FY18 funding opportunities.

FY18 OCRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on Grants.gov in March 2018.  Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released.  This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government, and funding of research projects received in response to these Program Announcements is contingent on the availability of federal funds appropriated for the OCRP.

As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) J9, Research and Development Directorate, manages the Defense Health Program Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation appropriation.  The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

The mission of the OCRP is to support patient-centered research to prevent, detect, treat, and cure ovarian cancer to enhance the health and well-being of Service members, Veterans, retirees, their family members, and all women impacted by this disease.

Clinical Development Award

• Must be an independent investigator at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).
• Supports the translation of promising preclinical findings into products for clinical applications, including prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, or quality of life.
• Near-term impact is expected.
• Preclinical studies in animals are not allowed.
• Small-scale clinical trials (Phase 0, Phase 1, Pilot), studies enriching a clinical trial, and projects related to or associated with ongoing or completed clinical trials are allowed.
• Preliminary data are required.
• Optional Nested Early-Career Investigator (ECI):  Applications proposing clinical trials and having an ECI that meets the criteria outlined in the Program Announcement/Funding Opportunity will qualify for a higher level of funding.
• Submission of a Letter of Intent is required prior to full application submission.
• Maximum funding of $600,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• With ECI option the maximum funding is $800,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years.

Omics Consortium Development Award

• Must be an independent investigator at the Associate Professor level or above (or equivalent)

• ·        Supports a multi-institutional research effort conducted by leading cancer researchers and advocates that focuses on the origin of ovarian cancer, with an emphasis on risk stratification, screening and early detection.
• ·        Funds support assembling consortium members and laying the groundwork for the research project, including proof of concept.
• ·        Ovarian cancer advocate(s) are required on the research team.
• ·        Funded applicants will be eligible to compete for the consortium award, which will support the execution of the full research project and is anticipated to be offered in FY20, pending availability of funds.

• Submission of a Letter of Intent is required prior to full application submission
• Maximum funding of $400,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs). 
• Period of performance not to exceed 2 years.

Investigator-Initiated Research Award

• Must be an independent investigator at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).
• Supports meritorious basic and clinically oriented research in ovarian cancer.
• Impact is an important review criterion.
• Preliminary data are required.
• Clinical trials are not allowed. 
• Pre-application is required; application is by invitation only.
• Maximum funding of $450,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 3 years.

Ovarian Cancer Academy Award – Early-Career Investigator

• Must be within 3 years of his/her last postdoctoral research position (Ph.D.) or clinical fellowship (M.D.), or equivalent as of the full application submission deadline.  A letter attesting to eligibility is required.
• Supports the addition of new ECIs to the unique, interactive virtual academy that provides intensive mentoring, national networking, and a peer group for junior faculty.
• ECIs whose ability to commit to conducting ovarian cancer research is limited by lack of resources or other overwhelming obstacles are encouraged to apply.
• A Designated Mentor who is an experienced ovarian cancer researcher with ovarian cancer funding is required.
• A Designated Mentor may only mentor one ECI candidate.
• The Designated Mentor is not required to be at the same institution as the ECI.
• Preliminary data are required.
• Clinical trials are allowed.
• Submission of a Letter of Intent is required prior to full application submission.
• Maximum funding of $725,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 4 years.

Pilot Award

• Investigators at or above the postdoctoral level (or equivalent).
• Supports innovative, high-risk/high-reward research that could ultimately lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will drive the field of ovarian cancer research forward.
• Innovation and Impact are important review criteria.
• Goal is to develop preliminary data; thus, preliminary data are not required, but are allowed.
• Clinical trials are not allowed.
• Pre-application is required and blinded; application submission is by invitation only.
• Maximum funding of $250,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 2 years.

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline.  All applications must conform to the final Program Announcements and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website.  The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov.  A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420. 

Applications must be submitted through the Federal Government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov.  Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcements are released.  For email notification when Program Announcements are released, go to the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil) and select Subscribe to Funding Opportunities & Program Communications.  For more information about the OCRP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil

Due to the current Continuing Resolution, the FY18 Defense Appropriations bill has not been passed. Although funds have not been appropriated for the Department of Defense Bone Marrow Failure Research Program (BMFRP), the BMFRP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop ideas for submission to the anticipated FY18 funding opportunities.

FY18 BMFRP Program Announcement and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanism is anticipated to be posted on Grants.gov in April 2018. Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcement is released. This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government, and funding of research projects received in response to this Program Announcement is contingent on the availability of Federal funds appropriated for the BMFRP.

As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency J9, Research and Development Directorate, manages the Defense Health Program Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation appropriation. The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP).

Idea Development Award

Established Investigators: Independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) and 10 years or more from a terminal degree or Early-Career Investigators: Investigators at the level of Assistant Professor, Instructor, or Assistant Research Professor (or equivalent) and less than 10 years from a terminal degree (excluding time spent in medical residency or on family medical leave) at the time of application submission deadline are eligible. Preproposal is required; full application submission is by invitation only. Supports innovative ideas and high-impact approaches based on scientifically sound evidence to move toward the vision to understand and cure bone marrow failure (BMF). Strong BMF research team. May include relevant preliminary data. Maximum funding of $325,000 in direct costs (plus indirect costs) Period of performance not to exceed 2 years Clinical trials will not be supported.

A pre-application is required and must be submitted through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP) at https://eBRAP.org prior to the pre-application deadline. All applications must conform to the final Program Announcement and General Application Instructions that will be available for electronic downloading from the Grants.gov website. The application package containing the required forms for each award mechanism will also be found on Grants.gov website. A listing of all CDMRP funding opportunities can be obtained on the Grants.gov website by performing a basic search using CFDA Number 12.420.

Applications must be submitted through the federal government’s single-entry portal, Grants.gov website. Submission deadlines are not available until the Program Announcement is released. For email notification when the Program Announcement is released, subscribe to program-specific news and updates under “Email Subscriptions” on the eBRAP homepage at https://eBRAP.org. For more information about the BMFRP or other CDMRP-administered programs, please visit the CDMRP website (http://cdmrp.army.mil).

Point of Contact:

CDMRP Public Affairs
301-619-9783
usarmy.detrick.medcom-cdmrp.mbx.cdmrp-public-affairs@mail.mil